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Joe Valentine is now an Astro

HOUSTON -- The Astros announced on Wednesday that they signed right-handed pitcher Joe Valentine to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Valentine, 26, was 0-1 with an 8.16 ERA over 16 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2005. In 42 career big league appearances between 2003 and 2005 with the Reds, Valentine was 2-4 with a 6.70 ERA and four saves.

In 49 appearances for Triple-A Louisville in 2005, Valentine was 0-7 with a 5.70 ERA and three saves.

Valentine is the eighth player to sign a Minor League contract and garner an invite to big league camp. The list also includes left-hander Carlos Hernandez, right-handers Dave Borkowski and Steve Sparks, and infielders Danny Klassen, Eric Munson and Kevin Orie and catcher Alan Zinter.

Jared Gothreaux, already in the Astros' Minor League system, was also invited to big league camp.

Astros pitchers and catchers report to Kissimmee, Fla., on Feb. 17 and work out on Feb. 18. Position players report Feb. 23 and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 24.

Re: Joe Valentine is now an Astro

In 42 career big league appearances between 2003 and 2005 with the Reds, Valentine was 2-4 with a 6.70 ERA and four saves.

In 49 appearances for Triple-A Louisville in 2005, Valentine was 0-7 with a 5.70 ERA and three saves.

And with that I say, "Goodbye and don't let the door hit ya in the buttocks on your way out." I can remember Joe being mentioned as the "key player" in the Jose Guillen to Oakland trade. What a bust he turned out to be in the end. The REDS have had plenty of bad pitchers lately, but Joe seemed to be one of the worst.... and that is not a good thing to have on your resume.

I wish him well. But not against the REDS if he ever manages to get it together and make the HOU 25-man roster.

Re: Joe Valentine is now an Astro

Some guys with great arms who start out poorly eventually get it together.

But tons more don't. The best indicator of future success is past (or present) success. Valentine has had little success, even in the minors. In fact, he realaly stunk out the joint.

The Guillen trade turned out to be a beauty for the Reds anyway, as Harang has turned into a really good pitcher.

If he continues to progress next year, he could easily win 18 or more games with better run support. In fact, if he pitches the same as last year, our offense could get him those wins. It's amazing that we didn't win substantially any more of Harang's starts as we did of Milton's and Ortiz'. But they got mega run support and Harang didn't.

Re: Joe Valentine is now an Astro

In the 2nd half of 2004 he was the Reds best option out of the pen, yet everyone cheers his depature to a division rival.

Rather than spend the spring trying to figure out if Vern Ruhle could figure him out or at least polish him up a bit, the Reds send a live arm with some wicked stuff but terrible control out the door for nothing.

Re: Joe Valentine is now an Astro

Originally Posted by jmcclain19

In the 2nd half of 2004 he was the Reds best option out of the pen, yet everyone cheers his depature to a division rival.

Rather than spend the spring trying to figure out if Vern Ruhle could figure him out or at least polish him up a bit, the Reds send a live arm with some wicked stuff but terrible control out the door for nothing.

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